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A mechanic works on the production line at Jaguar, Halewood Credit: PA Images

A major report says that the North West still retains the largest manufacturing sector in the whole of the UK, with just over 323,000 employees.

The report has been prepared by New Economy as part of a collaboration between the North West’s five sub-regions.

It focuses on the strengths of the manufacturing and nuclear sectors and is being launched at the Business Growth Hub’s Manufacturing Matters conference in Salford.

It adds that manufacturing productivity has increased producing more gross value added per employee than any other sector.

Juergen Maier, chair of the North West Business Leadership Team, said: “Manufacturing in the north of England is perceived by many as a sector that long ago disappeared with the last century’s post-industrial decline.

"This report highlights how that perception couldn’t be further from the truth and in particular how the North West still leads the way in this highly important sector.

“Drawing on the strengths of the sector, the report makes a number of key recommendations which importantly includes better ways to link and combine other regional strengths and assets - such as higher education and the digital sector - to help support and drive industrial growth''